Camera scope electronic variable prism

ABSTRACT

A system, apparatus and methods for providing a scope having an imaging sensor which provides a two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels. The imaging sensor allows for an angle of view to be changed within a field of view by selecting a one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel set within the two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels containing imaging data that corresponds to a desired angle of view.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to scopes of all types used to assista surgeon during surgical procedures.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic surgery is experiencing rapid growth in the medical field.Endoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used toanalyze the interior of a body cavity or interior surfaces of an organby inserting a tubular member into the body cavity through a minor orminimal incision. A conventional endoscope is generally an instrumentwith a light source and an image sensor or device for visualizing theinterior a body cavity. A wide range of applications have been developedfor the general field of endoscopes including, but not necessarilylimited to: arthroscope, angioscope, bronchoscope, choledochoscope,colonoscope, cytoscope, duodenoscope, enteroscope,esophagogastro-duodenoscope (gastroscope), laparoscope, laryngoscope,nasopharyngo-neproscope, sigmoidoscope, thoracoscope, and utererscope(hereinafter referred to generally as “endoscope” or “scope”). Theadvantages of endoscopy include smaller surgical incisions and less softtissue damage. As a result, there is significantly less discomfort andpain for the patient as well as a decrease in recovery time.

The advantages of minimally invasive surgery performed with the help ofan endoscope are well known and understood in the medical field. As aresult, there have been a growing number of devices for use withendoscopes for delivering, for example, diagnostic, monitoring,treatment, operating instruments, tools, and accessories (collectively,“tools”) into the observation field and working space of the physician'sendoscope.

As part of forming an image of the surgical site, the endoscope includesa light source and an image sensor. Endoscopes may also incorporate morethan one tubular member for observation or operation within the body,such as a working channel for passing diagnostic, monitoring, treatment,or surgical tools through the endoscope. Endoscopes include glass lensesand an adjustable ocular or eye piece, a lateral connection for a lightconductor, an adaptor that allows focusing, and a camera head. Thisconfiguration is also called a video endoscope. Conventional endoscopesuse physical prisms to direct light into a surgical scene.Unfortunately, the use of a physical prism also causes the tips of anendoscope to be angled and requires the user to rotate the physicalprism to allow a surgeon to see different portions of a surgical scene.

Most scopes are implemented with a particular size aperture, such as,for example, a 5 mm scope. A 5 mm scope has no parts to be inserted intoa body that exceed a 5 mm diameter. Conventional 5 mm scopes, or otherscopes, are implemented with a zero degree (blunt) shaft tip or anangled shaft tip (e.g., between a range of about a thirty degree shafttip to about a seventy degree shaft tip). In certain circumstances it ispossible that other tips could be used to provide a narrower or widerfield of view.

One drawback of this conventional technology is that in order to changea field of view from thirty degrees to seventy degrees, for example, asurgeon must withdraw a scope from a body of a person, remove theaffixed thirty degree tip and apply a seventy degree tip to the scope(or use two scopes, one with a thirty degree tip and one with a seventydegree tip). Constant tip (or scope) changing is undesirable, however,because changing tips (or scopes) causes surgical delays that extend alength of a surgical procedure. Further, withdrawing and re-inserting ascope several times (or different scopes) risks that tissue will bedamaged during the surgical procedure (e.g., accidentally hitting anerve while reinserting a scope). Frequently, surgeons find that theywould rather have a less ideal, or at least less desirable, view of ascene than constantly adjusting a field of view for different parts of asurgical procedure because of undesirability of adjusting or changingthe tip of the scope to see a different field of view. Thus, when giventhe option between a less ideal view of a scene or switching oradjusting a scope, the surgeons will often operate with a less idealview of a scene.

Accordingly, a need exists for surgeons to obtain their desired view ofa scene when operating with a scope without withdrawing a scope from abody or without having to change physical devices or tips. A needfurther exists to provide true high definition view of a scene whilehaving an ability to selectively select a desirable field of view.

The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in thedescription that follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure withoutundue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure maybe realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out herein.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes a scope,which further includes a lens. The system further includes a handpiece.The system also includes an imaging sensor. The imaging sensor includesa two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels. The systemfurther includes interface elements that, when actuated, cause an angleof view provided through the lens to be changed in a single imagereadout frame.

In another embodiment, a scope is disclosed. The scope includes a lensdisposed in a distal tip of the scope. The scope includes a hand piece.The scope also includes an imaging sensor. The imaging sensor includes atwo thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels. The scopefurther includes interface elements which, when actuated, cause an angleof view provided through the lens to be changed in a single readoutframe.

In another embodiment, a method is disclosed. The method includesproviding a scope having a lens in a distal tip of the scope. The scopefurther has one or more interface elements. A processor, for example,receives an indication from one of the one or more interface elements tochange an angle of view provided to a display device. The processoridentifies a sub-portion, for example one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel set of pixels on an image sensor having a two thousand pixel bytwo thousand pixel array of pixels that corresponds to the indicatedangle of view. The processor receives imaging data from the one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel set of pixels corresponding to the indicatedangle of view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent froma consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary scope for use with an electronicvariable prism;

FIG. 2 illustrates a 4K image sensor which may be connected to theexemplary scope shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a view pattern implemented when thescope shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a 50° prism;

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an embodiment of a view pattern implemented whenthe scope shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a 50° prism and is adjusted toprovide a 30° angle of view;

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate an embodiment of a view pattern implemented whenthe scope shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a 50° prism and is adjusted toprovide a 70° angle of view;

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate an embodiment of a view pattern implemented whenthe scope shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a 50° prism and is adjusted toprovide a 50° angle of view;

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate an embodiment of a view pattern implemented whenthe scope shown in FIG. 1 provides a 30° angle of view using a digitalprism;

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate an embodiment of a view pattern implemented whenthe scope shown in FIG. 1 provides a 70° angle of view using a digitalprism;

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate an embodiment of a view pattern implemented whenthe scope shown in FIG. 1 provides a 50° angle of view using a digitalprism;

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for identifying a selection of pixels in an4K array of pixels to provide a view at a particular angle of view;

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of a system of a4K sensor and an electromagnetic emitter in operation for use inproducing an image in a light deficient environment using the scopeshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of complementary system hardware;

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate operational cycles of a sensor used toconstruct one image frame;

FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical representation of the operation of anembodiment of an electromagnetic emitter;

FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical representation of varying the durationand magnitude of the emitted electromagnetic pulse in order to provideexposure control;

FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical representation of an embodiment of thedisclosure combining the operational cycles of a sensor, theelectromagnetic emitter and the emitted electromagnetic pulses of FIGS.12A-14, which demonstrate the imaging system during operation; and

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic of two distinct processes over a periodof time from t(0) to t(1) for recording a frame of video for fullspectrum light and partitioned spectrum light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles inaccordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to theembodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that nolimitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Anyalterations and further modifications of the inventive featuresillustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles ofthe disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to oneskilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure,are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

Before the devices, systems, methods and processes for providing singleuse imaging devices and an image or view optimizing assembly aredisclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure isnot limited to the particular embodiments, configurations, or processsteps disclosed herein as such embodiments, configurations, or processsteps may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that theterminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since thescope of the disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims, ifany, and equivalents thereof.

In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, thefollowing terminology will be used in accordance with the definitionsset out below. It must be noted that, as used in this specification andthe appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It must be understood that “field of view” as used herein is intended tocontemplate how much of an image can be seen in terms of degrees orangles as diffracted in liquids.

It must be understood that “angle of view” as used herein is intended tocontemplate an angle at which a field of view is angled in degrees orangles as diffracted in liquids.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements ormethod steps.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” and grammatical equivalentsthereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in theclaim.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” and grammaticalequivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specifiedmaterials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic andnovel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed disclosure.

As used herein, the term “active” as used in relation to a device or toelectronic communication refers to any device or circuit, driven byhardware or software, that has decision making or logic processingcapabilities regarding its operation and/or its condition. Conversely,the term “passive” as used in relation to an imaging device or toelectronic communication refers to a hardware device that is written toand read from only, or a device that does not have any memory or otherelectronic, or physical tracking components and does not include anydecision making or logic processing capabilities regarding its operationand/or its condition.

Referring now to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1, an embodimentof the features of the disclosure will be discussed generally. FIG. 1illustrates a scope system 100 which provides a scope 125 for surgicaluse. Scope system 100 includes a hand piece 105 which connects to scope125. Hand piece 105 may implement an image sensor, such as a CMOS sensor(not shown in FIG. 1 but discussed below). Hand piece 105 may furtherimplement interactive elements 110, which may be implemented as buttons,dials, touch screens, or other conventional interactive elements knownin the art. Handpiece 105 may be further connected to image acquisitionand processing circuitry 120 by cable 115 which serves to communicateinformation from the CMOS sensor, pulses of light, and other informationbetween image acquisition and processing circuitry 120 and hand piece105. Image acquisition and processing circuitry 120 may include elementssuch as a light engine, a laser light engine, an image processor, adisplay unit for displaying images obtained from the CMOS image sensor,and other elements necessary to provide light pulses to a surgical sceneat a distal tip of a scope and receive image information obtained by theCMOS sensor.

Scope 125 may include an optional handle 130 and various elementsconfigured to transmit light to a distal end of scope 125 and obtaininformation from a surgical scene at a distal end of an endoscope. Forexample, various wires, transmission lines, fiber optic cables, lumens,and other elements may be disposed within scope 125 and may extendthrough a tube 135 to a distal end of scope 125.

At a distal end of tube 135, a prism (or a lens as will be discussedbelow) 140 may be disposed. For example, a prism 140 may be implementedto offset a field of view at a certain degree or angle. In oneembodiment a 50° prism may be used to angle light being emitted fromscope 125 into a surgical scene although any prism may be used to angleor diffract light such that light is directed at a particular anglebetween 0° and 90°. However, since most surgeons seem to prefer a viewangle of 30° or 70°, a 50° prism is particularly suitable in thisimplementation because 30° and 70° are each 20° away from 50°. Thisparticular implementation will be further discussed below. The imagesensor, such as a CMOS sensor (not shown in FIG. 1 but discussed below),may be implemented within the distal end of the tube or scope 135.

FIG. 2 illustrates a 4K image sensor 200 which may be connected to theexemplary scope shown in FIG. 1. Image sensor 200 may be a CMOS sensorand may be referred to as a 4K sensor because image sensor 200 includesfour million pixels arranged to have at least a height 205 of twothousand pixels and a width 210 of two thousand pixels. In other words,image sensor 200 may be a square sensor having a pixel array with fourmillion individual pixels arranged to include a two thousand pixel bytwo thousand pixel square.

As shown in FIG. 2, image sensor 200 may be subdivided into smallerportions. That is to say, in an array of four million pixels, thereexist a virtually limitless number of one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel sets in an array of pixels. A “set” of pixels and an “array” ofpixels may be used interchangeably herein although a “set” of pixels inan array, for purposes of description, include a portion or fewer pixelsthan an available array of pixels. FIG. 2 illustrates a first pixelarray 215 of one thousand pixels by one thousand pixels that occupies anupper left portion of a sensor and includes exactly one quarter of thetotal pixels in image sensor 200. FIG. 2 further illustrates a secondpixel array 220, a third pixel array 225, and a fourth pixel array 230which are each non-overlapping arrays occupying different portions ofimage sensor 200 and which are all one thousand pixels high by onethousand pixels wide. A fifth pixel array 235 is illustrated asoccupying a center portion of image sensor 200 in that a left side ofpixel array 235 is the same distance from a left edge of image sensor200 as a right side of pixel array 235 is from a right edge of imagesensor 200. Further, fifth pixel array 235 is identified such that a topside of pixel array 235 is the same distance from a top edge of imagesensor 200 as a bottom side of pixel array 235 is from a bottom edge ofimage sensor 200.

First pixel array 215, second pixel array 220, third pixel array 225,fourth pixel array 230, and fifth pixel array 235 are merely instructiveof five sub-pixel arrays that may be created from a two thousand by twothousand pixel array in image sensor 200. However, as previouslydiscussed, a total number of unique one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel arrays may be virtually limitless. In other words, each individualpixel in image sensor 200 may be part of a unique one thousand pixel byone thousand pixel array that is different from every and any otherarray of one thousand pixels by one thousand pixels. Thus, the number ofunique one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel arrays that may beselected from a two thousand by two thousand pixel array is quite large.Thus, a 4k image sensor, such as image sensor 200, may be particularlysuitable to provide a significant variety of one thousand by onethousand pixel arrays which may be selected to be used for a particularpurpose, as will be discussed below.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a view pattern 300 implemented whenscope 125, which is shown and described with respect to FIG. 1 above,incorporates a 50° prism 305 which may be disposed in a distal end ofscope 125. View pattern 300 from prism 305 may be projected onto a 4ksensor, such as image sensor 200, discussed above with respect to FIG. 2at a wide field of view 310. Field of view 310 may be wide enough toincorporate a 30° angle of view 315, a 50° angle of view 320, and a 70°angle of view 325, as shown in FIG. 3. Further, in an embodiment thatuses a 50° prism, an 85° field of view may be obtained in liquids suchas, for example, saline which is frequently the case in surgicalsituations. An 85° field of view also corresponds to a one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels on a four million pixelarray of pixels. Thus, information derived from each of 30° angle ofview 315, 50° angle of view 320, and 70° angle of view 325 may beentirely captured by a 4k image sensor, such as image sensor 200,discussed above. Specific implementations of view pattern 300 will bediscussed below.

FIG. 4A illustrates an embodiment of a view pattern 400, which may besimilar to view pattern 300 shown in FIG. 3, implemented when scope 125shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a 50° prism and is adjusted to provide a30° angle of view. View pattern 400 includes a representation of animage sensor 405 which may be a 4K image sensor. Image sensor 405 may beimplemented in a manner similar in implementation and description toimage sensor 200, discussed above. View pattern 400 includes a widefield of view 410 which encompasses a total field of view that may beviewed through a 50° prism. As shown in FIG. 4A, field of view 410 islaid on image sensor 405 to illustrate an approximate position for eachpixel collecting image information from a scene on image sensor 405.View pattern 400 further illustrates a center focal point 415 whichrepresents a center portion of image sensor 405.

View pattern 400 further includes a representation of a specific onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 420 a that corresponds to a30° of a scene at a particular portion of the view identified by notch425. By manipulation of scope 125 using interface elements 110, shown inFIG. 1, a surgeon may change or rotate a particular 30° angle of view toview different 30° portions of a surgical scene. Notch 425 provides anorientation point to a surgeon for which 30° portion of a surgical scenethe surgeon is looking at such that the surgeon may identify whichdirection is up, down, left, or right.

However, as the surgeon rotates an angle of view, the correspondingpositions of pixels on pixel array 405 which are receiving the desiredimage information change. In other words, a particular one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array 420 a may be associated with aparticular angle of view designated by notch 425. As shown in FIG. 4A, a30° angle of view may cause image information to be stored in a onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 420 a that is disposed onimage sensor 405 directly opposite of notch 425. In this manner, alocation of image data in image sensor 405 which is desired by a surgeonat a 30° view may be identified and displayed on a display for thesurgeon using techniques further described below. Effectively, the focuspoint of the 50° prism is shifted by 20° to the left (based on theposition of notch 425) in FIG. 4A to focus on a 30° field of viewidentified by the circular area within one thousand pixel by onethousand pixel array 420 a.

FIGS. 4B-4D illustrate view patterns 400 which are altered by a surgeonrotating notch 425 to view specific 30° portions of a field of view.FIG. 4B illustrates a view where a surgeon is looking at a top portionof a field of view. FIG. 4C illustrates a view where a surgeon islooking at a right portion of a field of view. FIG. 4D illustrates aview where a surgeon is looking at a bottom portion of a field of view.

One further advantage of this implementation is that a surgeon may stillrotate an angle of view through a field of view as desired. However, asurgeon may also switch an angle of view from 30° to 50° or 70°, forexample, implemented as one of interface elements 110. A furtheradvantage is that one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 420 awithin image sensor 405 may be read at approximately 240 frames persecond. Since desired image quality may be obtained with a vastly slowerread out rate than 240 frames per second, image acquisition andprocessing circuitry 120 may identify minute rotations of notch 425 andrecalculate a location of a new one thousand pixel by one thousand pixelarray 420 a as scope 100 is rotated. In other words, a new one thousandby one thousand pixel array 420 a may be identified with each one of the240 frames and still provide a desirable image output. This allows asurgeon to maintain a constant view while rotating notch 425.

FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of a view pattern 500, which may besimilar to view pattern 300 shown in FIG. 3, implemented when scope 125shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a 50° prism and is adjusted to provide a70° angle of view. View pattern 500 includes a representation of animage sensor 505 which may be a 4K image sensor. Image sensor 505 may beimplemented in a manner similar in implementation and description toimage sensor 200, discussed above. View pattern 500 includes a widefield of view 510 which encompasses a total field of view that may beviewed through a 50° prism. As shown in FIG. 5A, field of view 510 islaid on image sensor 505 to illustrate an approximate position for eachpixel collecting image information from a scene on image sensor 505.View pattern 500 further illustrates a center focal point 515 whichrepresents a center portion of image sensor 505.

View pattern 500 further includes a representation of a specific onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 520 a that corresponds to a70° of a scene at a particular portion of the view identified by notch525. By manipulation of scope 125 using interface elements 110, shown inFIG. 1, a surgeon may change or rotate a particular 70° angle of view toview different 70° portions of a surgical scene. Notch 525 provides anorientation point to a surgeon for which 70° portion of a surgical scenethe surgeon is looking at such that the surgeon may identify whichdirection is up, down, left, or right.

However, as the surgeon rotates an angle of view, the correspondingpositions of pixels on pixel array 505 which are receiving the desiredimage information change. In other words, a particular one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array 520 a may be associated with aparticular angle of view designated by notch 525. As shown in FIG. 5A, a70° angle of view may cause image information to be stored in a onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 520 a that is disposed onimage sensor 505 directly on (e.g., bisected by) notch 525. In thismanner, a location of image data in image sensor 505 which is desired bya surgeon at a 70° view may be identified and displayed on a display forthe surgeon using techniques further described below. Effectively, thefocus point of the 50° prism is shifted by 20° to the right (based onthe position of notch 525) in FIG. 5A to focus on a 70° field of viewidentified by the circular area within one thousand pixel by onethousand pixel array 520 a.

FIGS. 5B-5D illustrate view patterns 500 which are altered by a surgeonrotating notch 525 to view specific 70° portions of a field of view.FIG. 5B illustrates a view where a surgeon is looking at a top portionof a field of view. FIG. 5C illustrates a view where a surgeon islooking at a right portion of a field of view. FIG. 5D illustrates aview where a surgeon is looking at a bottom portion of a field of view.

One further advantage of this implementation is that a surgeon may stillrotate an angle of view through a field of view as desired. However, asurgeon may also switch an angle of view from 70° to 50° or 30° withnothing more than a press of a button, for example, implemented as oneof interface elements 110. A further advantage is that one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array 520 a within image sensor 505 may beread at approximately 240 frames per second. Since desired image qualitymay be obtained with a vastly slower read out rate than 240 frames persecond, image acquisition and processing circuitry 120 may identifyminute rotations of notch 525 and recalculate a location of a new onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 520 a as scope 100 isrotated. In other words, a new one thousand by one thousand pixel array520 a may be identified with each one of the 240 frames and stillprovide a desirable image output. This allows a surgeon to maintain aconstant view while rotating notch 525.

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a view pattern 600, which may besimilar to view pattern 300 shown in FIG. 3, implemented when scope 125shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a 50° prism and is adjusted to provide a50° angle of view. View pattern 600 includes a representation of animage sensor 605 which may be a 4K image sensor. Image sensor 605 may beimplemented in a manner similar in implementation and description toimage sensor 200, discussed above. View pattern 600 includes a widefield of view 610 which encompasses a total field of view that may beviewed through a 50° prism. As shown in FIG. 6A, field of view 610 islaid on image sensor 605 to illustrate an approximate position for eachpixel collecting image information from a scene on image sensor 605.View pattern 600 further illustrates a center focal point 615 whichrepresents a center portion of image sensor 605.

View pattern 600 further includes a representation of a specific onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 620 a that corresponds to a50° view of a scene at a particular portion of the view identified bynotch 625. By manipulation of scope 125 using interface elements 110,shown in FIG. 1, a surgeon may change or rotate a particular 50° angleof view to view different 50° portions of a surgical scene. Notch 625provides an orientation point to a surgeon for which 50° portion of asurgical scene the surgeon is looking at such that the surgeon mayidentify which direction is up, down, left, or right.

In this unique embodiment, as the surgeon rotates an angle of view, thecorresponding positions of pixels on image sensor 605 which arereceiving the desired image information remain in the same place onimage sensor 605 because a 50° prism is installed on scope 125. Thus, a50° angle of view may always be associated with one particular thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array 620 a regardless of the position ofnotch 625. While notch 625 may direct scope to identify different 50°angles of view (e.g., 50° looking up or 50° looking down), the locationof pixels receiving image data remains the same by use of a 50° prism.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6A, a 50° angle of view may cause imageinformation to be stored in a one thousand pixel by one thousand pixelarray 620 a that is disposed such that a center pixel of the onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 620 is a center pixel of thetwo thousand by two thousand pixel array that makes up image sensor 605.In this manner, a location of image data in image sensor 605 which isdesired by a surgeon at a 50° view may be identified and displayed on adisplay for the surgeon using techniques further described below.

FIGS. 6B-6D illustrate view patterns 600 which are altered by a surgeonrotating notch 625 to view specific 50° portions of a field of view.FIG. 6B illustrates a view where a surgeon is looking at a top portionof a field of view. FIG. 6C illustrates a view where a surgeon islooking at a right portion of a field of view. FIG. 6D illustrates aview where a surgeon is looking at a bottom portion of a field of view.

One further advantage of this implementation is that a surgeon may stillrotate an angle of view through a field of view as desired. However, asurgeon may also switch an angle of view from 50° to 30° or 70° withnothing more than a press of a button, for example, implemented as oneof interface elements 110. A further advantage is that one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array 620 a within image sensor 605 may beread at approximately 240 frames per second. Since desired image qualitymay be obtained with a vastly slower read out rate than 240 frames persecond, image acquisition and processing circuitry 120 may identifyminute rotations of notch 625 and read the known location of the onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 620 a associated with a 50°angle of view as scope 100 is rotated. In other words, a the onethousand by one thousand pixel array 620 a may be read with each one ofthe 240 frames and provide a desirable image output. This allows asurgeon to maintain a constant view while rotating notch 625.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a view pattern 700, whichcorresponds to an implementation of scope 125 shown in FIG. 1 which doesnot, as before, incorporate a 50° prism. Rather, in the embodiment ofFIG. 7A, scope 125 is fitted with a wide field of view lens, such as a180° lens with a 0° offset. Other lenses may be substituted for a 180°lens. Typically, any lens between 125° and 180° is suitable in thisimplementation. Lenses used in this embodiment may or may not be fisheyelenses. However, it is to be noted that this embodiment does not use aprism to bend an angle of view and there is a 0° offset in thisembodiment. However, by identifying certain portions of an image sensor,such as image sensor 705, a particular angle of view within the field ofview of the lens may be provided in a manner that is consistent with asurgeon's expectations and experience with a scope, using the techniquesdiscussed below.

View pattern 700 includes a representation of an image sensor 705 whichmay be a 4K image sensor. Image sensor 705 may be implemented in amanner similar in implementation and description to image sensor 200,discussed above. View pattern 700 includes a wide field of view 710which encompasses a total field of view that may be viewed through awide field of view lens. As shown in FIG. 7A, field of view 710 is laidon image sensor 705 to illustrate an approximate position for each pixelcollecting image information from a scene on image sensor 705. Viewpattern 700 further illustrates a center focal point 715 whichrepresents a center portion of image sensor 705.

View pattern 700 further includes a representation of a specific onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 720 a that corresponds to a30° of a scene at a particular portion of the view identified by notch725. In this embodiment, however, no physical rotation of scope 125 isnecessary. Rather, a surgeon interfacing with interface elements 110 maydigitally alter both the angle of view and field of view. In response,image acquisition and processing circuitry 120 may identify a onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 720 a to produce a desiredview which, in FIG. 7A is a 30° angle of view looking to the right.Image sensor 705 effectively captures every 30° angle of view and canselectively produce a corresponding image by reading out portions ofimage sensor 705 that contain data corresponding to a desired 30° angleof view. Notch 725 may still be provided on a display to provide asurgeon with a reference point in the surgical scene such that thesurgeon may identify which direction is up, down, left, or right.

However, as the surgeon digitally rotates an angle of view by use ofinterface elements 110 on scope 125, the corresponding positions ofpixels on pixel array 705 which are receiving the desired imageinformation change. In other words, a particular one thousand pixel byone thousand pixel array 720 a may be associated with a particular angleof view designated by notch 725. As shown in FIG. 7A, a 30° angle ofview may cause image information to be stored in a one thousand pixel byone thousand pixel array 720 a that is disposed on image sensor 705 mayinclude a center portion of image sensor 705 be centered verticallyabout the center point of image sensor 705 and extend one thousandpixels in a direction towards notch 725. In this manner, a location ofimage data in image sensor 705 which is desired by a surgeon at a 30°angle of view may be identified and displayed on a display for thesurgeon using techniques further described below. Effectively, the focuspoint of a lens may be digitally shifted by 30° to provide a selected30° angle of view in a field of view defined by the lens.

FIGS. 7B-7D illustrate view patterns 700 which are altered by a surgeondigitally rotating notch 725 to view specific 30° portions of a field ofview. FIG. 7B illustrates a view where a surgeon is looking at a topportion of a field of view. FIG. 7C illustrates a view where a surgeonis looking at a right portion of a field of view. FIG. 7D illustrates aview where a surgeon is looking at a bottom portion of a field of view.

One further advantage of this implementation is that a surgeon maydigitally rotate an angle of view through a field of view as desiredwhile also digitally switching an angle of view from 70° to 0° or 30°,for example, using one or more of interface elements 110. A furtheradvantage is that one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 720 awithin image sensor 705 may be read at approximately 240 frames persecond. Since desired image quality may be obtained with a vastly slowerread out rate than 240 frames per second, image acquisition andprocessing circuitry 120 may react to minute digital rotations of notch725 and recalculate a location of a new one thousand pixel by onethousand pixel array 720 a as scope 100 is digitally rotated. In otherwords, a new one thousand by one thousand pixel array 720 a may beidentified with each one of the 240 frames and still provide a desirableimage output. This allows a surgeon to maintain a constant view whiledigitally rotating notch 725.

FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of a view pattern 800, whichcorresponds to an implementation of scope 125 shown in FIG. 1 which doesnot, as before, incorporate a prism. Rather, in the embodiment of FIG.8A, scope 125 is fitted with a wide field of view lens, such as a 180°lens with a 0° offset. Other lenses may be substituted for a 180° lens.Typically, any lens between 125° and 180° is suitable in thisimplementation. Lenses used in this embodiment may or may not be fisheyelenses. However, it is to be noted that this embodiment does not use aprism to bend an angle of view and there is a 0° offset in thisembodiment. However, by identifying certain portions of an image sensor,such as image sensor 805, a particular angle of view within the field ofview of the lens may be provided in a manner that is consistent with asurgeon's expectations and experience with a scope, using the techniquesdiscussed below.

View pattern 800 includes a representation of an image sensor 805 whichmay be a 4K image sensor. Image sensor 805 may be implemented in amanner similar in implementation and description to image sensor 200,discussed above. View pattern 800 includes a wide field of view 810which encompasses a total field of view that may be viewed through awide field of view lens. As shown in FIG. 8A, field of view 810 is laidon image sensor 805 to illustrate an approximate position for each pixelcollecting image information from a scene on image sensor 805. Viewpattern 800 further illustrates a center focal point 815 whichrepresents a center portion of image sensor 805.

View pattern 800 further includes a representation of a specific onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 820 a that corresponds to a70° of a scene at a particular portion of the view identified by notch825. In this embodiment, however, no physical rotation of scope 125 isnecessary. Rather, a surgeon interfacing with interface elements 110 maydigitally alter both the angle of view and field of view. In response,image acquisition and processing circuitry 120 may identify a onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 820 a to produce a desiredview which, in FIG. 7A is a 70° angle of view looking to the right.Image sensor 805 effectively captures every 70° angle of view and canselectively produce a corresponding image by reading out portions ofimage sensor 805 that contain data corresponding to a desired 70° angleof view. Notch 825 may still be provided on a display to provide asurgeon with a reference point in the surgical scene such that thesurgeon may identify which direction is up, down, left, or right.

However, as the surgeon digitally rotates an angle of view by use ofinterface elements 110 on scope 125, the corresponding positions ofpixels on pixel array 705 which are receiving the desired imageinformation change. In other words, a particular one thousand pixel byone thousand pixel array 820 a may be associated with a particular angleof view designated by notch 825. As shown in FIG. 8A, a 70° angle ofview may cause image information to be stored in a one thousand pixel byone thousand pixel array 820 a that is disposed on image sensor 805 mayinclude a center pixel of image sensor 705 being disposed in a center ofa vertical edge of the one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel arrayand extending one thousand pixels from that vertical edge in a directiontowards notch 725. In this manner, a location of image data in imagesensor 805 which is desired by a surgeon at a 70° angle of view may beidentified and displayed on a display for the surgeon using techniquesfurther described below. Effectively, the focus point of a lens may bedigitally shifted by 70° to provide a selected 70° angle of view in afield of view defined by the lens. FIGS. 8B-8D illustrate view patterns800 which are altered by a surgeon digitally rotating notch 825 to viewspecific 70° portions of a field of view. FIG. 8B illustrates a viewwhere a surgeon is looking at a top portion of a field of view (the onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array being defined by a centerpoint of image sensor 805 disposed in a center of a horizontal edge ofthe one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array). FIG. 8C illustratesa view where a surgeon is looking at a right portion of a field of view.FIG. 8D illustrates a view where a surgeon is looking at a bottomportion of a field of view.

One further advantage of this implementation is that a surgeon maydigitally rotate an angle of view through a field of view as desiredwhile also digitally switching an angle of view from 70° to 0° or 30°,for example, using one or more of interface elements 110. A furtheradvantage is that one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 820 awithin image sensor 805 may be read at approximately 240 frames persecond. Since desired image quality may be obtained with a vastly slowerread out rate than 240 frames per second, image acquisition andprocessing circuitry 120 may react to minute digital rotations of notch825 and recalculate a location of a new one thousand pixel by onethousand pixel array 820 a as scope 100 is digitally rotated. In otherwords, a new one thousand by one thousand pixel array 820 a may beidentified with each one of the 240 frames and still provide a desirableimage output. This allows a surgeon to maintain a constant view whiledigitally rotating notch 825.

FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of a view pattern 900, whichcorresponds to an implementation of scope 125 shown in FIG. 1 which doesnot, as before, incorporate a prism. Rather, in the embodiment of FIG.8A, scope 125 is fitted with a wide field of view lens, such as a 180°lens with a 0° offset. Other lenses may be substituted for a 180° lens.Typically, any lens between 125° and 180° is suitable in thisimplementation. Lenses used in this embodiment may or may not be fisheyelenses. However, it is to be noted that this embodiment does not use aprism to bend an angle of view and there is a 0° offset in thisembodiment. However, by identifying certain portions of an image sensor,such as image sensor 905, a particular angle of view within the field ofview of the lens may be provided in a manner that is consistent with asurgeon's expectations and experience with a scope, using the techniquesdiscussed below.

View pattern 900 includes a representation of an image sensor 905 whichmay be a 4K image sensor. Image sensor 905 may be implemented in amanner similar in implementation and description to image sensor 200,discussed above. View pattern 900 includes a wide field of view 910which encompasses a total field of view that may be viewed through alens. As shown in FIG. 9A, field of view pattern 910 is laid on imagesensor 905 to illustrate an approximate position for each pixelcollecting image information from a scene on image sensor 905. Viewpattern 900 further illustrates a center focal point 915 whichrepresents a center portion of image sensor 905.

View pattern 900 further includes a representation of a specific onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 920 a that corresponds to a0° view of a scene at a particular portion of the view identified bynotch 925. By manipulation of scope 125 using interface elements 110,shown in FIG. 1, a surgeon may digitally change or digitally rotate aparticular 0° angle of view to view different 0° portions of a surgicalscene. Notch 925 provides an orientation point to a surgeon for which 0°portion of a surgical scene the surgeon is looking at such that thesurgeon may identify which direction is up, down, left, or right.

In this unique embodiment, as the surgeon digitally rotates an angle ofview, the corresponding positions of pixels on image sensor 905 whichare receiving the desired image information remain in the same place onimage sensor 905 because a lens which does not bend an angle of light isinstalled on scope 125. Thus, a 0° angle of view may always beassociated with one particular thousand pixel by one thousand pixelarray 920 a regardless of the position of notch 925. While notch 925 maydirect scope to identify different 0° angles of view (e.g., 0° lookingup or 0° looking down), the location of pixels receiving image dataremains the same by use of a lens. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9A, a0° angle of view may cause image information to be stored in a onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 920 a that is disposed suchthat a center pixel of the one thousand pixel by one thousand pixelarray 920 is a center pixel of the two thousand by two thousand pixelarray that makes up image sensor 905. In this manner, a location ofimage data in image sensor 905 which is desired by a surgeon at a 0°view may be identified and displayed on a display for the surgeon usingtechniques further described below.

FIGS. 9B-9D illustrate view patterns 900 which are altered by a surgeondigitally rotating notch 925 to view specific 0° portions of a field ofview. FIG. 9B illustrates a view where a surgeon is looking at a topportion of a field of view. FIG. 9C illustrates a view where a surgeonis looking at a right portion of a field of view. FIG. 9D illustrates aview where a surgeon is looking at a bottom portion of a field of view.

One further advantage of this implementation is that a surgeon maydigitally rotate an angle of view through a field of view as desiredwhile also digitally switching an angle of view from 0° to 30° or 70°,for example, using one or more of interface elements 110. A furtheradvantage is that one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array 920 awithin image sensor 905 may be read at approximately 240 frames persecond. Since desired image quality may be obtained with a vastly slowerread out rate than 240 frames per second, image acquisition andprocessing circuitry 120 may react to minute digital rotations of notch925. The one thousand by one thousand pixel array 920 a associated witha 0° may be read out with each one of the 240 frames and still provide adesirable image output. This allows a surgeon to maintain a constantview while digitally rotating notch 925.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1000 for identifying a selection of pixelsin an 4K array of pixels to provide a view at a particular angle of viewin a field of view. Method 1000 begins at step 1005 at which imageacquisition and processing circuitry 120, shown in FIG. 1, may by use ofa processor, which will be described in more detail below, receive anindication of a desired field of view angle for scope 125. For example,a surgeon may manipulate interface elements 110 to indicate that thesurgeon desires a 0°, a 30°, a 50° or a 70° field of view angle,depending on embodiment. As part of step 1005 and receiving anidentification of a desired field of view angle for scope 125, theprocessor may receive an indication of an angle of view by physical ordigital manipulation of a notch, such as notch 425 described in FIGS.4A-4D and other notches described in other figures. Once the processorhas determined a desired field of view and angle of view for scope 125,the processor may, at step 1010 identify a one thousand pixel by onethousand pixel array of pixels in a 4k pixel array on an image sensorwhich within which image information for the particular selected fieldof view and angle of view has been identified.

Once the particular one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel arrayassociated with a particular selected field of view and angle of viewhas been identified, the identified one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel array may be exposed to receive image data from a surgical sceneat step 1015. For example, light may be emitted into a surgical scenewhich may be sensed by the pixels in an image sensor, such as imagesensor 200,shown in FIG. 2. These pixels in the image sensor store lightinformation which may be used to provide a video display of the surgicalscene. This light information received by exposure of the pixels on theimage sensor may be read out of the one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel array at step 1020. At step 1025, the processor may process therelevant read out data and generate a video image from the readout dataat step 1030. In this manner, the various frames captured at 240 framesper second may be assembled together to provide a video based view of asurgical scene at a field of view and angle of view determined by asurgeon.

Advantageously, since only one quarter of an image sensor, such as imagesensor 200 shown in FIG. 2 is needed to provide a particular field ofview and angle of view at a particular surgical scene, when using a 4kimage sensor, other pixels that may receive image information may beused for other purposes. For example, if a frame rate was slowed from240 frames per second, these pixels may be used to receiving additionalinformation such as infrared information, color information,spectroscopy information, ultraviolet information, augmented realityinformation, or other information from a surgical scene.

It may be further possible to eliminate a data line connection to thecamera head for receiving information from interface elements 110 byencoding the information from the interface elements in a video streamsuch that an image sensor, such as image sensor 200 encodes a buttonstatus and transmits the information to the image acquisition andprocessing circuitry, such as image acquisition and processing circuitry120 shown in FIG. 1. The image acquisition and processing circuitry maytherefore respond appropriately to interaction with interface elements110.

It is also possible that instead of reading just a one thousand pixel byone thousand pixel array, a processor may readout the entire 4K sensoralbeit with a lower frame rate of 60 frames per second. However, usingthe foregoing techniques, it is possible to provide two angles of viewfor a particular field of view simultaneously by identifying pixels thatoverlap between two different angles of view, if any. In this manner avideo stream for a first angle of view may be provided to a firstdisplay while a video stream for a second angle or view may be providedto a second display simultaneously. It is also possible that thesedifferent views may be overlaid on each other. For example, an augmentedreality view may be captured by an image sensor while the desired angleof view is displayed such that the augmented reality view may beoverlaid on the same display.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of a system of a4K sensor and an electromagnetic emitter in operation for use inproducing an image in a light deficient environment using the scopeshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of a paired sensorand an electromagnetic emitter in operation for use in producing animage in a light deficient environment. Such a configuration allows forincreased functionality in light controlled or ambient light deficientenvironments.

It should be noted that as used herein the term “light” is both aparticle and a wavelength and is intended to denote electromagneticradiation that is detectable by a pixel array and may includewavelengths from the visible and non-visible spectrums ofelectromagnetic radiation. The term “partition” is used herein to mean apre-determined range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum thatis less than the entire spectrum, or in other words, wavelengths thatmake up some portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. As used herein, anemitter is a light source that may be controllable as to the portion ofthe electromagnetic spectrum that is emitted or that may operate as tothe physics of its components, the intensity of the emissions, or theduration of the emission, or all of the above. An emitter may emit lightin any dithered, diffused, or collimated emission and may be controlleddigitally or through analog methods or systems. As used herein, anelectromagnetic emitter is a source of a burst of electromagnetic energyand includes light sources, such as lasers, LEDs, incandescent light, orany light source that can be digitally controlled.

A pixel array of an image sensor may be paired with an emitterelectronically, such that they are synced during operation for bothreceiving the emissions and for the adjustments made within the system.As can be seen in FIG. 11, an emitter 1100 may be tuned to emitelectromagnetic radiation in the form of a laser, which may be pulsed inorder to illuminate an object 1110. The emitter 1100 may pulse at aninterval that corresponds to the operation and functionality of a pixelarray 1122. The emitter 1100 may pulse light in a plurality ofelectromagnetic partitions 1105, such that the pixel array receiveselectromagnetic energy and produces a data set that corresponds (intime) with each specific electromagnetic partition 1105. For example,FIG. 11 illustrates a system having a monochromatic sensor 1120 having apixel array (black and white) 1122 and supporting circuitry, which pixelarray 1122 is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength.Pixel array 1122 may be a 4k pixel array implemented as a 4k imagesensor similar to, for example, image sensor 200 shown in FIG. 2. Thelight emitter 1100 illustrated in the figure may be a laser emitter thatis capable of emitting a red electromagnetic partition 1105 a, a blueelectromagnetic partition 1105 b, and a green electromagnetic partition1105 c in any desired sequence. It will be appreciated that other lightemitters 1100 may be used in FIG. 11 without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure, such as digital or analog based emitters.

During operation, the data created by the monochromatic sensor 1120 forany individual pulse may be assigned a specific color partition, whereinthe assignment is based on the timing of the pulsed color partition fromthe emitter 1100. Even though the pixels 1122 are not color dedicatedthey can be assigned a color for any given data set based on a prioriinformation about the emitter.

In one embodiment, three data sets representing RED, GREEN and BLUEelectromagnetic pulses may be combined to form a single image frame. Itwill be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to any particularcolor combination or any particular electromagnetic partition, and thatany color combination or any electromagnetic partition may be used inplace of RED, GREEN and BLUE, such as Cyan, Magenta and Yellow;Ultraviolet; infra-red; any combination of the foregoing, or any othercolor combination, including all visible and non-visible wavelengths,without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In the figure, theobject 1110 to be imaged contains a red portion 1110 a, green portion1110 b and a blue portion 1110 c. As illustrated in the figure, thereflected light from the electromagnetic pulses only contains the datafor the portion of the object having the specific color that correspondsto the pulsed color partition. Those separate color (or color interval)data sets can then be used to reconstruct the image by combining thedata sets at 1130.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, implementations of the present disclosure maycomprise or utilize a special purpose or general-purpose computer,including computer hardware, such as, for example, one or moreprocessors and system memory, as discussed in greater detail below.Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure may alsoinclude physical and other computer-readable media for carrying orstoring computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Suchcomputer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer system.Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions arecomputer storage media (devices). Computer-readable media that carrycomputer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way ofexample, and not limitation, implementations of the disclosure cancomprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readablemedia: computer storage media (devices) and transmission media.

Computer storage media (devices) includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM,solid state drives (“SSDs”) (e.g., based on RAM), Flash memory,phase-change memory (“PCM”), other types of memory, other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to store desired program code means inthe form of computer-executable instructions or data structures andwhich can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable thetransport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modulesand/or other electronic devices. In an implementation, a sensor andcamera control unit may be networked in order to communicate with eachother, and other components, connected over the network to which theyare connected. When information is transferred or provided over anetwork or another communications connection (either hardwired,wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, thecomputer properly views the connection as a transmission medium.Transmissions media can include a network and/or data links, which canbe used to carry desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions or data structures and which can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinationsof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program codemeans in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structuresthat can be transferred automatically from transmission media tocomputer storage media (devices) (or vice versa). For example,computer-executable instructions or data structures received over anetwork or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interfacemodule (e.g., a “NIC”), and then eventually transferred to computersystem RAM and/or to less volatile computer storage media (devices) at acomputer system. RAM can also include solid state drives (SSDs or PCIxbased real time memory tiered storage, such as FusionIO). Thus, itshould be understood that computer storage media (devices) can beincluded in computer system components that also (or even primarily)utilize transmission media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing deviceto perform a certain function or group of functions. The computerexecutable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediateformat instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the described features or acts described above.Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example formsof implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure may bepracticed in network computing environments with many types of computersystem configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers,laptop computers, message processors, control units, camera controlunits, hand-held devices, hand pieces, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets,pagers, routers, switches, various storage devices, and the like. Itshould be noted that any of the above mentioned computing devices may beprovided by or located within a brick and mortar location. Thedisclosure may also be practiced in distributed system environmentswhere local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either byhardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination ofhardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both performtasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Further, where appropriate, functions described herein can be performedin one or more of: hardware, software, firmware, digital components, oranalog components. For example, one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)can be programmed to carry out one or more of the systems and proceduresdescribed herein. Certain terms are used throughout the followingdescription and Claims to refer to particular system components. As oneskilled in the art will appreciate, components may be referred to bydifferent names. This document does not intend to distinguish betweencomponents that differ in name, but not function.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device1250. Computing device 1250 may be used to perform various procedures,such as those discussed herein. Computing device 1250 can function as aserver, a client, or any other computing entity. Computing device 1250can perform various monitoring functions as discussed herein, and canexecute one or more application programs, such as the applicationprograms described herein. Computing device 1250 can be any of a widevariety of computing devices, such as a desktop computer, a notebookcomputer, a server computer, a handheld computer, camera control unit,tablet computer and the like.

Computing device 1250 includes one or more processor(s) 1252, one ormore memory device(s) 1254, one or more interface(s) 1256, one or moremass storage device(s) 1258, one or more Input/Output (I/O) device(s)1260, and a display device 1280 all of which are coupled to a bus 1262.Processor(s) 1252 include one or more processors or controllers thatexecute instructions stored in memory device(s) 1254 and/or mass storagedevice(s) 1258. Processor(s) 1252 may also include various types ofcomputer-readable media, such as cache memory.

Memory device(s) 1254 include various computer-readable media, such asvolatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) 1264) and/ornonvolatile memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM) 1266). Memory device(s)1254 may also include rewritable ROM, such as Flash memory.

Mass storage device(s) 1258 include various computer readable media,such as magnetic tapes, magnetic disks, optical disks, solid-statememory (e.g., Flash memory), and so forth. As shown in FIG. 2, aparticular mass storage device is a hard disk drive 1274. Various drivesmay also be included in mass storage device(s) 1258 to enable readingfrom and/or writing to the various computer readable media. Mass storagedevice(s) 1258 include removable media 1276 and/or non-removable media.

I/O device(s) 1260 include various devices that allow data and/or otherinformation to be input to or retrieved from computing device 1250.Example I/O device(s) 1260 include digital imaging devices,electromagnetic sensors and emitters, cursor control devices, keyboards,keypads, microphones, monitors or other display devices, speakers,printers, network interface cards, modems, lenses, CCDs or other imagecapture devices, and the like.

Display device 1280 includes any type of device capable of displayinginformation to one or more users of computing device 1250. Examples ofdisplay device 1280 include a monitor, display terminal, videoprojection device, and the like. Interface(s) 1206 include variousinterfaces that allow computing device 1250 to interact with othersystems, devices, or computing environments. Example interface(s) 1256may include any number of different network interfaces 1270, such asinterfaces to local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs),wireless networks, and the Internet. Other interface(s) include userinterface 1268 and peripheral device interface 1272. The interface(s)1256 may also include one or more user interface elements 1268. Theinterface(s) 1256 may also include one or more peripheral interfacessuch as interfaces for printers, pointing devices (mice, track pad,etc.), keyboards, and the like.

Bus 1262 allows processor(s) 1252, memory device(s) 1254, interface(s)1256, mass storage device(s) 1258, and I/O device(s) 1260 to communicatewith one another, as well as other devices or components coupled to bus1262. Bus 1262 represents one or more of several types of busstructures, such as a system bus, PCI bus, IEEE 1394 bus, USB bus, andso forth.

For purposes of illustration, programs and other executable programcomponents are shown herein as discrete blocks, although it isunderstood that such programs and components may reside at various timesin different storage components of computing device 1250 and areexecuted by processor(s) 1252. Alternatively, the systems and proceduresdescribed herein can be implemented in hardware, or a combination ofhardware, software, and/or firmware. For example, one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs) can be programmed to carry out one or more of thesystems and procedures described herein.

FIG. 12A illustrates the operational cycles of a sensor used in rollingreadout mode or during the sensor readout 1200. The frame readout maystart at and may be represented by vertical line 1210. The read outperiod is represented by the diagonal or slanted line 1202. The sensormay be read out on a row by row basis, the top of the downwards slantededge being the sensor top row 1212 and the bottom of the downwardsslanted edge being the sensor bottom row 1214. The time between the lastrow readout and the next readout cycle may be called the blanking time1216. It should be noted that some of the sensor pixel rows might becovered with a light shield (e.g., a metal coating or any othersubstantially black layer of another material type). These covered pixelrows may be referred to as optical black rows 1218 and 1220. Opticalblack rows 1218 and 1220 may be used as input for correction algorithmsAs shown in FIG. 12A, these optical black rows 1218 and 1220 may belocated on the top of the pixel array or at the bottom of the pixelarray or at the top and the bottom of the pixel array. FIG. 12Billustrates a process of controlling the amount of electromagneticradiation, e.g., light, that is exposed to a pixel, thereby integratedor accumulated by the pixel. It will be appreciated that photons areelementary particles of electromagnetic radiation. Photons areintegrated, absorbed, or accumulated by each pixel and converted into anelectrical charge or current. An electronic shutter or rolling shutter(shown by dashed line 1222) may be used to start the integration time byresetting the pixel. The light will then integrate until the nextreadout phase. The position of the electronic shutter 1222 can be movedbetween two readout cycles 1202 in order to control the pixel saturationfor a given amount of light. It should be noted that this techniqueallows for a constant integration time between two different lines, butintroduces a delay when moving from top to bottom rows. FIG. 12Cillustrates the case where the electronic shutter 1222 has been removed.In this configuration, the integration of the incoming light may startduring readout 1202 and may end at the next readout cycle 1202, whichalso defines the start of the next integration. FIG. 12D shows aconfiguration without an electronic shutter 1222, but with a controlledand pulsed light 1230 during the blanking time 1216. This ensures thatall rows see the same light issued from the same light pulse 1230. Inother words, each row will start its integration in a dark environment,which may be at the optical black back row 1220 of read out frame (m)for a maximum light pulse width and will then receive a light strobe andwill end its integration in a dark environment, which may be at theoptical black front row 1218 of the next succeeding read out frame (m+1)for a maximum light pulse width. In FIG. 12D for example, the imagegenerated from the light pulse will be solely available during frame(m+1) readout without any interference with frames (m) and (m+2). Itshould be noted that the condition to have a light pulse to be read outonly in one frame and not interfere with neighboring frames is to havethe given light pulse firing during the blanking time 1216. Because theoptical black rows 1218, 1220 are insensitive to light, the opticalblack back rows 1220 time of frame (m) and the optical black front rows1218 time of frame (m+1) can be added to the blanking time 1216 todetermine the maximum range of the firing time of the light pulse 1230.As illustrated in FIG. 12A, a sensor may be cycled many times in orderto receive data for each pulsed color (e.g., Red, Green, Blue). Eachcycle may be timed. In an embodiment, the cycles may be timed to operatewithin an interval of 16.67 ms. In another embodiment, the cycles may betimed to operate within an interval of 8.3 ms. It will be appreciatedthat other timing intervals are contemplated by the disclosure and areintended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 13 graphically illustrates the operation of an embodiment of anelectromagnetic emitter. An emitter may be timed to correspond with thecycles of a sensor, such that electromagnetic radiation is emittedwithin the sensor operation cycle and/or during a portion of the sensoroperation cycle. FIG. 13 illustrates Pulse 1 at 1302, Pulse 2 at 1304,and Pulse 3 at 1306. In an embodiment, the emitter may pulse during theread out portion 1202 of the sensor operation cycle. In an embodiment,the emitter may pulse during the blanking portion 1216 of the sensoroperation cycle. In an embodiment, the emitter may pulse for a durationthat is during portions of two or more sensor operational cycles. In anembodiment, the emitter may begin a pulse during the blanking portion1216, or during the optical black portion 1220 of the readout portion1202, and end the pulse during the readout portion 1202, or during theoptical black portion 1218 of the readout portion 1202 of the nextsucceeding cycle. It will be understood that any combination of theabove is intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure as long asthe pulse of the emitter and the cycle of the sensor correspond.

FIG. 14 graphically represents varying the duration and magnitude of theemitted electromagnetic pulse (e.g., Pulse 1 at 1402, Pulse 2 at 1404,and Pulse 3 at 1406) to control exposure. An emitter having a fixedoutput magnitude may be pulsed during any of the cycles noted above inrelation to FIGS. 12D and 13 for an interval to provide the neededelectromagnetic energy to the pixel array. An emitter having a fixedoutput magnitude may be pulsed at a longer interval of time, therebyproviding more electromagnetic energy to the pixels or the emitter maybe pulsed at a shorter interval of time, thereby providing lesselectromagnetic energy. Whether a longer or shorter interval time isneeded depends upon the operational conditions.

In contrast to adjusting the interval of time that the emitter pulses afixed output magnitude, the magnitude of the emission itself may beincreased in order to provide more electromagnetic energy to the pixels.Similarly, decreasing the magnitude of the pulse provides lesselectromagnetic energy to the pixels. It should be noted that anembodiment of the system may have the ability to adjust both magnitudeand duration concurrently, if desired. Additionally, the sensor may beadjusted to increase its sensitivity and duration as desired for optimalimage quality. FIG. 14 illustrates varying the magnitude and duration ofthe pulses. In the illustration, Pulse 1 at 1402 has a higher magnitudeor intensity than either Pulse 2 at 1404 or Pulse 3 at 1406.Additionally, Pulse 1 at 1402 has a shorter duration than Pulse 2 at1404 or Pulse 3 at 1406, such that the electromagnetic energy providedby the pulse is illustrated by the area under the pulse shown in theillustration. In the illustration, Pulse 2 at 1404 has a relatively lowmagnitude or intensity and a longer duration when compared to eitherPulse 1 at 1402 or Pulse 3 at 1406. Finally, in the illustration, Pulse3 at 1406 has an intermediate magnitude or intensity and duration, whencompared to Pulse 1 at 1402 and Pulse 2 at 1404.

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of an embodiment of the disclosurecombining the operational cycles, the electromagnetic emitter and theemitted electromagnetic pulses of FIGS. 12A-14 to demonstrate theimaging system during operation in accordance with the principles andteachings of the disclosure. As can be seen in the figure, theelectromagnetic emitter pulses the emissions primarily during theblanking period 1216 of the sensor, such that the pixels will be chargedand ready to read during the read out portion 1202 of the sensor cycle.The dashed line portions in the pulse (from FIG. 13) illustrate thepotential or ability to emit electromagnetic energy during the opticalblack portions 1220 and 1218 of the read cycle (sensor cycle) 1200 ifadditional time is needed or desired to pulse electromagnetic energy.

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic of two distinct processes over a periodof time from t(0) to t(1) for recording a frame of video for fullspectrum light and partitioned spectrum light. It should be noted thatcolor sensors have a color filter array (CFA) for filtering out certainwavelengths of light per pixel commonly used for full spectrum lightreception. An example of a CFA is a Bayer pattern. Because the colorsensor may comprise pixels within the array that are made sensitive to asingle color from within the full spectrum, a reduced resolution imageresults because the pixel array has pixel spaces dedicated to only asingle color of light within the full spectrum. Usually such anarrangement is formed in a checkerboard type pattern across the entirearray.

In contrast, when partitioned spectrums of light are used a sensor canbe made to be sensitive or responsive to the magnitude of all lightenergy because the pixel array will be instructed that it is sensingelectromagnetic energy from a predetermined partition of the fullspectrum of electromagnetic energy in each cycle. Therefore, to form animage the sensor need only be cycled with a plurality of differingpartitions from within the full spectrum of light and then reassemblingthe image to display a predetermined mixture of color values for everypixel across the array. Accordingly, a higher resolution image is alsoprovided because there are reduced distances as compared to a Bayersensor between pixel centers of the same color sensitivity for each ofthe color pulses. As a result, the formed colored image has a highermodulation transfer function (MTF). Because the image from each colorpartition frame cycle, has a higher resolution, the resultant imagecreated when the partitioned light frames are combined into a full colorframe, also has a higher resolution. In other words, because each andevery pixel within the array (instead of, at most, every second pixel ina sensor with color filter) is sensing the magnitudes of energy for agiven pulse and a given scene, just fractions of time apart, a higherresolution image is created for each scene with less derived (lessaccurate) data needing to be introduced.

For example, white or full spectrum visible light is a combination ofred, green and blue light. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, it can beseen that in both the partitioned spectrum process 1620 and fullspectrum process 1610 the time to capture an image is t(0) to t(1). Inthe full spectrum process 1610, white light or full spectrumelectromagnetic energy is emitted at 1612. At 1614, the white or fullspectrum electromagnetic energy is sensed. At 1616, the image isprocessed and displayed. Thus, between time t(0) and t(1), the image hasbeen processed and displayed. Conversely, in the partitioned spectrumprocess 1620, a first partition is emitted at 1622 and sensed at 1624.At 1626, a second partition is emitted and then sensed at 1628. At 1630,a third partition is emitted and sensed at 1632. At 1634, the image isprocessed and displayed. It will be appreciated that any system using animage sensor cycle that is at least two times faster than the whitelight cycle is intended to fall within the scope of the disclosure.

As can be seen graphically in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16between times t(0) and t(1), the sensor for the partitioned spectrumsystem 1620 has cycled three times for every one of the full spectrumsystem. In the partitioned spectrum system 1620, the first of the threesensor cycles is for a green spectrum 1622 and 1624, the second of thethree is for a red spectrum 1626 and 1628, and the third is for a bluespectrum 1630 and 1632. Thus, in an embodiment, wherein the displaydevice (LCD panel) operates at 50-60 frames per second, a partitionedlight system should operate at 150-180 frames per second to maintain thecontinuity and smoothness of the displayed video.

In other embodiments there may be different capture and display framerates. Furthermore, the average capture rate could be any multiple ofthe display rate. In an embodiment it may be desired that not allpartitions be represented equally within the system frame rate. In otherwords, not all light sources have to be pulsed with the same regularityso as to emphasize and de-emphasize aspects of the recorded scene asdesired by the users. It should also be understood that non-visible andvisible partitions of the electromagnetic spectrum may be pulsedtogether within a system with their respective data value being stitchedinto the video output as desired for display to a user.

An embodiment may comprise a pulse cycle pattern as follows:

Green pulse;

Red pulse;

Blue pulse;

Green pulse;

Red pulse;

Blue pulse;

Infra-red (IR) pulse;

(Repeat)

As can be seen in the example, an IR partition may be pulsed at a ratediffering from the rates of the other partition pulses. This may be doneto emphasize a certain aspect of the scene, with the IR data simplybeing overlaid with the other data in the video output to make thedesired emphasis. It should be noted that the addition of a fourthelectromagnetic partition does not necessarily require the serializedsystem to operate at four times the rate of a full spectrum non-serialsystem because every partition does not have to be represented equallyin the pulse pattern. As seen in the embodiment, the addition of apartition pulse that is represented less in a pulse pattern (IR in theabove example), would result in an increase of less than 20% of thecycling speed of the sensor in order accommodate the irregular partitionsampling.

In an embodiment, an electromagnetic partition may be emitted that issensitive to dyes or materials that are used to highlight aspects of ascene. In the embodiment it may be sufficient to highlight the locationof the dyes or materials without need for high resolution. In such anembodiment, the dye sensitive electromagnetic partition may be cycledmuch less frequently than the other partitions in the system in order toinclude the emphasized data. The partition cycles may be divided so asto accommodate or approximate various imaging and video standards.

It will be appreciated that various features disclosed herein providesignificant advantages and advancements in the art. The following claimsare exemplary of some of those features.

EXAMPLES

The following examples pertain to features of further embodiments of thedisclosure:

Example 1

A system comprising:

a scope including a lens;

a hand piece;

an imaging sensor, the imaging sensor including a two thousand pixel bytwo thousand pixel array of pixels;

interface elements which, when actuated, cause an angle of view providedthrough the lens to be changed in a single image readout frame.

Example 2

An exemplary embodiment includes example 1, wherein the lens is a125°-180° lens.

Example 3

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 1 and 2, wherein theangle of view may be changed to a 30° angle of view.

Example 4

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 1-3, wherein the angleof view may be changed to a 70° angle of view.

Example 5

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 1-4, further comprisingimage acquisition and processing circuitry which identifies a onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels in the two thousandpixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels that corresponds to pixelsthat are exposed to image information for the angle of view.

Example 6

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 1-5, wherein when theangle of view provided through the lens is changed to a second angle ofview, the image acquisition and processing circuitry identifies a secondone thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels in the twothousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels that corresponds topixels that are exposed to image information for the second angle ofview.

Example 7

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 1-6, wherein the angleof view is digitally rotatable in response to activation of one of theinterface elements.

Example 8

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 1-7, further comprisingimage acquisition and processing circuitry which identifies a onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels in the two thousandpixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels that corresponds to thepixels that are exposed to image information for the angle of view at afirst position.

Example 9

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 1-8, wherein the imageacquisition and processing circuitry detects that the angle of view hasbeen rotated to a second position and, in response, identifies a secondone thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels in the twothousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels that corresponds tothe pixels that are exposed to image information for the angle of viewat the second position.

Example 10

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 1-9, further comprisinga notch which is displayed on a display device along with informationretrieved from the imaging sensor.

Example 11

A scope, comprising:

a lens disposed in a distal tip of the scope;

a hand piece;

an imaging sensor, the imaging sensor including a two thousand pixel bytwo thousand pixel array of pixels;

interface elements which, when actuated, cause an angle of view providedthrough the lens to be changed in a single image readout frame.

Example 12

An exemplary embodiment includes example 11, wherein the lens is a125°-180° lens.

Example 13

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11 and 12, wherein theangle of view is 0°.

Example 14

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11-13, wherein theangle of view is 30°.

Example 15

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11-14, wherein theangle of view is 70°.

Example 16

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11-15, wherein theimaging sensor identifies a first one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel array of pixels within the two thousand pixel by two thousandpixel array of pixels which contains image information for a 0° angle ofview.

Example 17

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11-16, furthercomprising image acquisition and processing circuitry which detects arotation of the angle of view and, in response, identifies a second onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels within the twothousand pixel by two thousand pixel array which contains image datarepresentative of a rotated 0° angle of view.

Example 18

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11-17, wherein theimaging sensor identifies a first one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel array of pixels within the two thousand by two thousand pixelarray of pixels which contains image information for a 30° angle ofview.

Example 19

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11-18, furthercomprising image acquisition and processing circuitry which detects arotation of the angle of view and, in response, identifies a second onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels within the twothousand pixel by two thousand pixel array which contains image datarepresentative of a rotated 30° angle of view.

Example 20

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11-19, wherein theimaging sensor identifies a first one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel array of pixels within the two thousand by two thousand pixelarray of pixels which contains image information for a 70° angle ofview.

Example 21

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 11-20, furthercomprising image acquisition and processing circuitry which detects arotation of the angle of view and, in response, identifies a second onethousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels within the twothousand pixel by two thousand pixel array which contains image datarepresentative of a rotated 70° angle of view.

Example 22

A method, comprising

providing a scope having a lens in a distal tip of the scope and havingone or more interface elements;

receiving an indication, from one of the one or more interface elements,to change an angle of view provided to a display device;

identifying, by a processor, a one thousand pixel by one thousand pixelset of pixels on an image sensor having a two thousand pixel by twothousand pixel array of pixels corresponding to the indicated angle ofview;

receiving, by a processor, imaging data from the one thousand pixel byone thousand pixel set of pixels corresponding to the indicated angle ofview; and

generating an image from the image data for display on the displaydevice with the changed angle of view.

Example 23

An exemplary embodiment includes example 22, further comprising exposingthe one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel set corresponding to theindicated angle of view.

Example 24

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 22 and 23, wherein thetwo thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels provides a 4Kimaging sensor.

Example 25

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 22-24, wherein theangle of view is changed from 0° to 30°.

Example 26

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 22-25, wherein theangle of view is changed from 0° to 70°.

Example 27

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 22-26, wherein theangle of view is changed from 30° to 70°.

Example 28

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 22-27, wherein theangle of view is changed from 30° to 0°.

Example 29

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 22-28, wherein theangle of view is changed from 70° to 0°.

Example 30

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 22-29, wherein theangle of view is changed from 70° to 30°.

Example 31

An exemplary embodiment includes any of examples 22-30, furthercomprising: receiving, by a processor and from one of the one or moreinterface elements, an indication of a degree of rotation of the angleof view and a second rotated angle of view corresponding to theindicated degree of rotation for the angle of view and, in response,identifying, by a processor, a second one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel array of pixels corresponding to the second rotated angle of view.

It is to be understood that any features of the above-describedarrangements, examples and embodiments may be combined in a singleembodiment comprising any combination of features taken from any of thedisclosed arrangements, examples and embodiments.

In the foregoing Detailed Description of the Disclosure, variousfeatures of the disclosure are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of asingle foregoing disclosed embodiment.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the disclosure.Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover suchmodifications and arrangements.

Thus, while the disclosure has been shown in the drawings and describedabove with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, butnot limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing fromthe principles and concepts set forth herein.

Further, where appropriate, functions described herein can be performedin one or more of: hardware, software, firmware, digital components, oranalog components. For example, one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)can be programmed to carry out one or more of the systems and proceduresdescribed herein. Certain terms are used throughout the followingdescription and claims to refer to particular system components. As oneskilled in the art will appreciate, components may be referred to bydifferent names. This document does not intend to distinguish betweencomponents that differ in name, but not function.

The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Further, itshould be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternateimplementations may be used in any combination desired to formadditional hybrid implementations of the disclosure.

Further, although specific implementations of the disclosure have beendescribed and illustrated, the disclosure is not to be limited to thespecific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated.The scope of the disclosure is to be defined by the claims appendedhereto, any future claims submitted here and in different applicationsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a scope including a lens; ahand piece; an imaging sensor, the imaging sensor including a twothousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels; interface elementswhich, when actuated, cause an angle of view provided through the lensto be changed in a single image readout frame.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the lens is a 125°-180° lens.
 3. The system of claim 2, whereinthe angle of view may be changed to a 30° angle of view.
 4. The systemof claim 3, wherein the angle of view may be changed to a 70° angle ofview.
 5. The system of claim 2, further comprising image acquisition andprocessing circuitry which identifies a one thousand pixel by onethousand pixel array of pixels in the two thousand pixel by two thousandpixel array of pixels that corresponds to pixels that are exposed toimage information for the angle of view.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein when the angle of view provided through the lens is changed to asecond angle of view, the image acquisition and processing circuitryidentifies a second one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array ofpixels in the two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixelsthat corresponds to pixels that are exposed to image information for thesecond angle of view.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the angle ofview is digitally rotatable in response to activation of one of theinterface elements.
 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising imageacquisition and processing circuitry which identifies a one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels in the two thousand pixel bytwo thousand pixel array of pixels that corresponds to the pixels thatare exposed to image information for the angle of view at a firstposition.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the image acquisition andprocessing circuitry detects that the angle of view has been rotated toa second position and, in response, identifies a second one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels in the two thousand pixel bytwo thousand pixel array of pixels that corresponds to the pixels thatare exposed to image information for the angle of view at the secondposition.
 10. The system of claim 2, further comprising a notch which isdisplayed on a display device along with information retrieved from theimaging sensor.
 11. A scope, comprising: a lens disposed in a distal tipof the scope; a hand piece; an imaging sensor, the imaging sensorincluding a two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels;interface elements which, when actuated, cause an angle of view providedthrough the lens to be changed in a single image readout frame.
 12. Thescope of claim 11, wherein the lens is a 125°-180° lens.
 13. The scopeof claim 11, wherein the angle of view is 0°.
 14. The scope of claim 11,wherein the angle of view is 30°.
 15. The scope of claim 11, wherein theangle of view is 70°.
 16. The scope of claim 11, wherein the imagingsensor identifies a first one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel arrayof pixels within the two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array ofpixels which contains image information for a 0° angle of view.
 17. Thescope of claim 16, further comprising image acquisition and processingcircuitry which detects a rotation of the angle of view and, inresponse, identifies a second one thousand pixel by one thousand pixelarray of pixels within the two thousand pixel by two thousand pixelarray which contains image data representative of a rotated 0° angle ofview.
 18. The scope of claim 11, wherein the imaging sensor identifies afirst one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels withinthe two thousand by two thousand pixel array of pixels which containsimage information for a 30° angle of view.
 19. The scope of claim 16,further comprising image acquisition and processing circuitry whichdetects a rotation of the angle of view and, in response, identifies asecond one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels withinthe two thousand pixel by two thousand pixel array which contains imagedata representative of a rotated 30° angle of view.
 20. The scope ofclaim 11, wherein the imaging sensor identifies a first one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel array of pixels within the two thousand bytwo thousand pixel array of pixels which contains image information fora 70° angle of view.
 21. The scope of claim 16, further comprising imageacquisition and processing circuitry which detects a rotation of theangle of view and, in response, identifies a second one thousand pixelby one thousand pixel array of pixels within the two thousand pixel bytwo thousand pixel array which contains image data representative of arotated 70° angle of view.
 22. A method, comprising providing a scopehaving a lens in a distal tip of the scope and having one or moreinterface elements; receiving an indication, from one of the one or moreinterface elements, to change an angle of view provided to a displaydevice; identifying, by a processor, a one thousand pixel by onethousand pixel set of pixels on an image sensor having a two thousandpixel by two thousand pixel array of pixels corresponding to theindicated angle of view; receiving, by a processor, imaging data fromthe one thousand pixel by one thousand pixel set of pixels correspondingto the indicated angle of view; and generating an image from the imagedata for display on the display device with the changed angle of view.23. The method of claim 22, further comprising exposing the one thousandpixel by one thousand pixel set corresponding to the indicated angle ofview.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the two thousand pixel by twothousand pixel array of pixels provides a 4K imaging sensor.
 25. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the angle of view is changed from 0° to 30°.26. The method of claim 22, wherein the angle of view is changed from 0°to 70°.
 27. The method of claim 22, wherein the angle of view is changedfrom 30° to 70°.
 28. The method of claim 22, wherein the angle of viewis changed from 30° to 0°.
 29. The method of claim 22, wherein the angleof view is changed from 70° to 0°.
 30. The method of claim 22, whereinthe angle of view is changed from 70° to 30°.
 31. The method of claim22, further comprising: receiving, by a processor and from one of theone or more interface elements, an indication of a degree of rotation ofthe angle of view and a second rotated angle of view corresponding tothe indicated degree of rotation for the angle of view and, in response,identifying, by a processor, a second one thousand pixel by one thousandpixel set of pixels corresponding to the second rotated angle of view.